Immigration - Asylum and Personal

Directories

Chambers & Partners 2015

THE SET This immigration powerhouse has a fine reputation within the sector. It handles business, commercial and employment migration cases, as well as asylum and unlawful detention cases. Its barristers also demonstrate particular strength in handling cases concerning the transfer of EU members and those planning to study in the UK. One source says: "The members are efficient, friendly and accommodating. They go the extra mile for their clients." Client service: "The clerks are very accessible. They are always happy to discuss fees and suggest counsel, and they don't double-book barristers."

SILKSJudith Farbey QC A strong and adaptable immigration silk at the top of her game. She provides counsel to a wide range of clients on EU and human rights law immigration cases, and offers general migration policy advice to businesses. Expertise: "The breadth and depth of her skill set and experience is fantastic. She is my absolute go-to barrister for complex matters. Her analytical approach and thought process in strategising complex situations are nothing short of breathtaking." "Her technical expertise is outstanding, and she's very accessible and great to run ideas by."

JUNIORSPhilip Haywood Has an all-encompassing immigration practice and regularly fights cases at all levels of the domestic and European court system, including at the ECJ and ECHR. Demonstrates sophisticated knowledge of difficult refugee and Country Guidance cases, as well as sponsor licences. Expertise: "Produces excellent written work and has a good eye for detail. He works on asylum, EEA and Article 8 matters, and has a wide range of knowledge and skills." "He is reliable, sensible and immediately responsive." Recent work: Advised in an appeal at the Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal that determined the Country Guidance for Zimbabwe.

Alasdair MacKenzie A co-founder of and campaigner for the charity Asylum Aid, and one of the leading juniors at the London Immigration Bar. His civil liberties, family and EEA-related work has earned him significant recognition in the sector. Expertise: "His written work and advocacy are excellent; he pushes us as solicitors, which is really great." "He is thorough, provides an immediate response, and has an incredibly wide knowledge of almost every area of immigration law." Recent work: Acted for one of three claimants against the Home Office in a case concerning a backlog in asylum claims that allegedly prevented the claimant from obtaining residence.

Joe Middleton Handles a variety of immigration matters, from legal aid and pro bono cases to larger-value work for business clients. He is a Russian speaker and has significant experience of working on complex extradition and human rights cases. Expertise: "He is very accessible and flexible, and this makes him easy to work with." "He's very knowledgeable and shows excellent attention to detail." Recent work: Engaged in the judicial review of the Quality Assurance Agency's refusal to grant quality assurance for a sponsor licence to a private college.

John Walsh Combines an active practice in corporate immigration with legal aid representation for detained migrants. He is regularly instructed to act on judicial review cases at the First-tier Tribunal as well as in cases brought to the ECJ. Expertise: "He is really calm, and he doesn't get flustered. He is very thorough and very reliable." "He is very good at very messy cases as he can cut to the quick on what is relevant, especially in cases where there is lots of immigration history. His written work is fantastic and he is responsive."

Laura Dubinsky Has appeared at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in relation to highly contentious areas of asylum and immigration detention law. She has a spectacular depth of knowledge when it comes to EU and ECHR law, and cases concerning the deportation or detention of convicted terrorists. Expertise: "She stands out as a result of her complete thoroughness and dedication to the job. She really pushes you as a solicitor to do things that help the case." "Meticulous and very driven, she is innovative in the way she approaches the law." Recent work: Acted as sole adviser and representative in an application to appeal to the Supreme Court in a case that concerned the imprisonment of EU migrants prior to their removal.

Alison Pickup Previously worked as a legal adviser to individuals wishing to escape their country because of political persecution. She has developed an all-encompassing immigration offering that not only focuses on obtaining asylum, but also helps with the wider needs of migrants such as the provision of community care and economic support. Expertise: "She is extremely reliable, well organised, calm, focused and able to think strategically." "Phenomenally bright and extremely thorough in terms of her paperwork, she is committed and extremely nice to work with." Recent work: Acted in Refugee Action's challenge to the government's decision not to raise the level of social security paid to refugees.

Catherine Meredith A dynamic and experienced junior who specialises in asylum and immigration cases before the higher courts. Her practice has a particular emphasis on EU and ECHR cases. Expertise: "She has a lot of energy - she works incredibly hard and pushes for the best outcome." "She is an excellent, intellectual lawyer, who grasps cases very well." Recent work: Instructed in MA v Secretary of State for the Home Department, in which the Court of Justice of the European Union held that the controlling consideration in transfers under the Dublin II Regulation is the best interests of children who are unaccompanied or separated from their families.

Charlotte Kilroy Remains an integral player at the junior end of the London Immigration and Public Law Bar. She is noted for her aptitude in all aspects of the ECHR, and works extensively with vulnerable migrants such as the victims of trafficking and unlawful detention. Expertise: "She stands out due to her sheer effectiveness and brain power. She is a class act."

David Lemer A seasoned asylum, employment and civil liberties barrister, who is frequently instructed to act in matters before the High Court, Court of Appeal, ECJ and ECHR. He has a special interest in public authority litigation. Expertise: "Knowledgeable and responsive, with a solid grasp of the immigration rules." "He is incredibly thorough and really flexible with his time. You can phone and ask him questions and have an in-depth conversation about complex issues. He is also prepared to push parameters." Recent work: Currently involved in the judicial review of UKBA's withdrawal of a Tier 4 sponsor licence.

Michelle Knorr An "enthusiastic and imaginative" immigration and public law junior, whose practice continues to go from strength to strength. She principally fights for individuals seeking refugee status, and cases involving the interface between immigration, civil liberties and EU law. Expertise: "She really gets behind the client, and is very client-focused, communicative and collaborative." "An incredible fighter, she is passionate when arguing her points and she does really well in the tribunal and High Court. She is very good with vulnerable clients such as victims of trafficking and she thinks through absolutely everything." Recent work: Advised on a public law challenge to the Home Secretary's decision not to grant refugee status to a trafficked migrant.

Mark Henderson A long-standing executive member of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association, who impresses with his top-notch courtroom skills and confidence in both national and international courts. His caseload focuses mainly on asylum, human rights and EU law. Expertise: "He is very enthusiastic and really pushes cases as far as he can. He has lots of experience and gets good results." "Very skilled on complex EEA appeal matters." Recent work: Appeared in CM (Zimbabwe) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, a case concerning the government's duties in Country Guidance cases.

Legal 500 2014

The individuals at Doughty Street Chambers are ‘extremely professional and will always go the extra mile to ensure instructing solicitors are happy.' ‘It is a set where people come first.' Chambers handles all aspects of asylum, human rights, EU, family, student and nationality applications, as well as unlawful detention. Practitioners are also experienced in business, commercial and employment migration.

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